How to Perform Umrah

If you are going for Umrah for first time and you are not well prepared no need to worry about it. Procedure for Umrah is very simple and after reading this complete post you will learn it precisely.

In order to perfrom Umrah there are soome prohibitions while in Ihram (Before entering Miqat wearing an Ihram is necessary), shaving and cutting of hairs, nails or skin all are forbidden also killing animals, except those that can harm people, fighting or quarreling, using perfumes, washing hair with shampoo, wearing gloves or socks, or uprooting oats or trees. Those who do these knowingly or unknowingly or by forgetting have to pay a penalty by sacrificing an animal or giving alms. There are five places on some distance from the Holy City of Makkah which pilgrims must not cross before they are in a state of Ihram if they intend to enter al Masjid al Haram for Umrah or Hajj. These points or stations are called Miqats.

When the one who wants to perform Umrah arrives at the Miqaat, it is recommended for him/her (both man and woman) to take a bath if convenient, including menstruating women and those experiencing postnatal bleeding. The man perfumes his head and beard but not his Ihraam garments. There is no harm in what remains of it after Ihraam. There is nothing wrong if it is not possible to take a bath at Miqaat. There is no specific clothing designated for women, except that they are prohibited from wearing the Niqaab (face-veil) and gloves. Instead, they may cover their hands with the lower part of their khimaar (head covering), while using the upper part of their jilbaab (outer garment) or a separate piece of fabric to cover their faces by drawing it down, if there is need to do so. As for men, they must assume their Ihraam at the Miqaat by wearing two pieces of fabric called the Izaar and the Ridaa. The Ridaa covers the top half of the body, while the Izaar covers the lower half. No other clothing is allowed to be worn in addition to these – no underwear, no pants, no shirt, no turban, no hat, etc. are to be worn.

Then the pilgrim makes the intention at the Miqaat to begin the rites of Umrah by entering the state of Ihraam. The intention must be made in the heart, while the statement made afterwards is: “Labayka Umrah” or “Allahumma labbayka Umrah. This statement begins the rites of `Umrah. The first pillar of Umrah is the Ihraam. The intention is made in the heart, while the tongue recites the opening Talbiyyah and if you wish, when uttering Talbiyyah, you may state a condition to Allah fearing that which may prevent you from completion of the Umrah whether illness or fear - saying “in habasanee haabes fa mahillee haithu habastanee” (I come out of the state of Ihraam from the place You prevent me from continuing). So if you do that and are then prevented or become ill - then you may come out of Ihraam. Then repeat the Talbiyyah: “labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni`mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak” (“In response to your call O Allah I perform `Umrah, here I am O Allah. In response to Your call. You have no partner. In response to Your call. All Praise and Blessings, and the Ownership of all that You created is Yours (alone). You have no partner”)

Upon arriving at the sacred mosque in Makkah (Al-Masjid Al-Haraam), you should enter with your right foot and say: "Bismillaah, Allahumma Salli `Alaa Muhammad, Allahumma Ighfirli waftahli Abwaaba Rahmatik. (In the name of Allah! O Allah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me)." You should enter in a manner expressing humility and gratitude to the blessings He, Almighty, conferred upon you.

Upon arriving at the Kabah, stop reciting the Talbiyyah, then approach the Black Stone, touch it with your right hand and kiss it. If this is not possible, you should face the Black Stone and point to it. Do not push and shove, causing harm and being harmed by other people. When touching the Stone, the following is said: “Bismil-laah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) or "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).

A pilgrim must walk, keeping the Kabah on his left. When you reach the Yamaani corner touch it with your right hand, if possible, but do not kiss it, and say: “Bismil-laahi wa Allahu Akbar”. If this is difficult for you, then go on performing tawaaf without touching it, pointing at it or even saying “Allahu Akbar” because this was not narrated from the Prophet on the other hand whenever you reach or are parallel to the black stone, touch it with your right hand, kiss it and say, “Bismillaah Allahu Akbar”, if it is not possible then it is enough to point at it and say, “Bismillaah, Allahu Akbar”.

Make supplication from your heart, for that which will benefit you. Recite whatever you wish, supplicate to Allah by asking for good, recite the Quran, anything you wish. There are no specific statements or supplications to be recited during the Tawaaf that are authentically established in the Sunnah. However it is recommended to say between the two corners during each circumambulation as it is reported from the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention ) “Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.” [Quran: 2:201]

When you complete seven circuits of Tawaaf, approach Maqaam Ibraaheem (Ibraaheem`s station) and recite this verse (which means): “And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer...” [Quran: 2:125]

Then pray two short Rak`ahs, as close as conveniently possible, behind Maqaam Ibraheem. If it is not possible then you can pray them anywhere in the sacred mosque. It is preferred to recite during the first Rak`ah the chapter "Al-Kafiroon" [109] and during the second one the chapter of “Al-lkhlaas” [112].

The next stage is to go to Safaa. Upon approaching the foot of Safaa, the following verse is recited (which means): “Verily, As-Safaa and Al-Marwah are from the symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or `Umrah of the house (ka `bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is the All-Recognizer, All-Knower.” [Quran; 2:158]

Then climb unto mount Safaa until the Kabah is visible, if possible. Facing the Ka`bah the following is to be said 3 times, and between each time one is to make one`s own

supplication: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wadahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa `alaa qulli shay`in qadeer. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wahdahu, anjaza wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaaba wahdahu" (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, Who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates alone).

Then descend and go towards Marwah, running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only), upon reaching Marwah climb upon it if it is possible, and repeat the same procedure as when ascending Safaa except you are not to recite the above-mentioned verse, because it is recited when ascending Safaa for the first time only. This completes one circuit. Then one continues back to Safaa running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only) - thus completing two circuits. There are no particular supplications to be recited between Safaa and Marwah. Seven circuits are to be completed ending the last one on Marwah. Then one is to have his hair cut although shaving it is better. Women should shorten their hair by a finger-tips length from the end.